Sue and Paul Leake have given this charming 125-year-old house a contemporary take on Victorian chic - and pulled it off magnificently.

Menston must be a popular place to live, because Sue and Paul have live in this property in Derry Hill for 20 years.

"We wanted something larger, and when we saw this one we bought it straight away," says Sue. "It's a typical Victorian house with high ceilings and cornices, and it's very light inside with lovely bay windows.

"Although we've done a lot to the inside, we like to think it still has its character."

There hasn't been a room left untouched in this home in the last 20 years, with Sue and Paul deliberately opting for a modern version of Victorian chic. The end result successfully combines the fundamental character of this period property with an impressive contemporary style.

"We like a simple, tasteful look, and it took a long time to get there; but we are really pleased with how it turned out."

This is an elegant three bedroom home full of style and endearing character, with a reception hall leading into a living room with splay bay window overlooking the front of the house, with a gas coal effect fire in a stainless steel surround on a stone hearth and an impressive painted mantle.

The second reception room is the dining room - another elegantly proportioned room with a feature fireplace with storage cupboards on either side and colonial style shutters at the splay bay windows.

Most of the work downstairs has been done in the kitchen, which has a comprehensive range of stylish units with tiled work surfaces and splashbacks, laminate floor, pelmet lighting and halogen down lighters.

All you would have to do is simply move in your pots and pans, because there are plenty of integrated appliances, including a stainless steel Neff electric oven with matching microwave, Smeg five ring hob with cooker hood, dishwasher and fridge and freezer.

Like most of the rooms in this house, it is flooded with light and also has lovely views over the back garden.

Decorated in a similar manner is a garden room with fitted storage, plumbing for an automatic washing machine and French doors into the garden, which is Sue's favourite space downstairs.

"When we put in the new extension upstairs to put in an en-suite they had to dig up the garden to put in pipes. Until then it was very traditional and we liked it, but decided that it was a good opportunity to do something else with the garden; to make it more of an extension to the house. The garden is a great space and we've put in chairs and a table that easily seats eight. With the lighting on at night, it's quite magical."

The result may be a modern space, but without that rather austere look you can end up with. There's an expansive decked terrace with well stocked borders, along with a further gravelled seating area with borders and stone flagged area with garden store. "It's a great area for al fresco dining; a real sun trap," says Sue. "The garden room is used a lot, especially in summer, because I can serve the food in there if it gets too hot."

Upstairs, the master bedroom is a lovely room with oak finished flooring, down lighters, a designer radiator and double glazed French doors onto an Italian balcony which overlooks the garden. "This is my favourite room upstairs... I just love the balcony," says Sue.

Though a frosted glass door is the fully-tiled en-suite shower room. It really is the last word in luxury with a tiled shower cubicle, circular white basin on a granite effect plinth with monoblock tap, wall-hung WC and gloss finished floor tiling.

There are two more bedrooms at the front of the house, both having mirror fronted wardrobes and one also having a Pergo floor.

The family bathroom is tiled in limestone with mosaic features in the bath area, the remainder tiled to dado rail height. The Vernon Tutbury suite is white and includes a wash basin and bath with chrome finished thermostatic shower over, ladder style radiator and down lighters.

Sue obviously loves Derry Cottage, so I wondered why the move after such a long time.

"The older you get you can either just sit back and enjoy what you've done, or perhaps because you have a little more money you can look for a challenge... and that's what we're going to do. Although I do look round sometimes and think oh dear, am I doing the right thing?'.

"I'm going to miss the neighbours and the community, as well as the house. Paul and I love walking and this is a great area for that. But I'm looking forward to turning the page to the next chapter."

Derry Cottage in Derry Hill, Menston, is on the market for £399,950 with Dacre, Son & Hartley, Ilkley, (01943) 600655.